SEND ME A SHIP AND A NUMBER AND I'LL WRITE A SHORT FIC- 22 pinto
Sorry this is so ridiculously late, bb. You probably forgot all about it, but hey.
22. two miserable people meeting at a wedding au
Despitebeing at a wedding, it wasn’t the happiest of occasions for Zach. In fact,there were several moments during the service alone when he wished he hadn’taccepted the invitation. It could have been his day after all, if things hadgone differently. It was a tale of two grooms, but he wasn’t one of them.
Duringthe second reading, he let his gaze wander over the other guests. He knew themajority of the people on his side, by sight if not by name, but across theaisle were mostly strangers. One in particular caught Zach’s eye, sitting inthe opposite row to him. He was quite striking to look at—dirty blonde hair andbright blue eyes—but it wasn’t that that had caught Zach’s attention. It wasthe sorrow in his expression; the exact same expression that Zach had seen inthe mirror that morning when he’d carefully straightened his tie. It felt like,in the midst of a day filled with joy, he’d found a kindred spirit.
As fatewould have it, they’d been placed at the very same table at the reception. Zachstole a glance at his neatly written name card—Chris—but heneedn’t have bothered as everyone around the table introduced themselves almostimmediately.
Therewas a fair amount of cheerful small talk during the meal, but Zach noticed thatChris barely drank anything during the toasts and was equally quiet after. Hetook the opportunity to attempt a proper conversation when the tables emptiedonto the dance floor and they were left alone, Chris watching the many dancingcouples with the same mournful expression.
“Huh?Oh… yeah.” At Zach’s skeptical expression, Chris gave a kind of one-shoulderedshrug. “I guess I’m not really in the mood for celebrating relationships,that’s all.”
Zachnodded, taking a sip of champagne. “That makes two of us.”
“Yeah. Seeingyour ex marrying someone else kind of puts a dampener on the whole thing.”
Chriswinced, making Zach instantly regret putting it so bluntly. “Wow. Jon?”
“Thatsucks. Why—” he cut himself off with a sharp shake of his head. “Sorry, none ofmy business.”
“Well, Imean…” Chris hesitated slightly before continuing. “You must have known todaywould be hard, but you still came?”
Zachshrugged. “Yeah, well… we decided to remain friends, and friends come to yourwedding.”
“Wow,”Chris said again. “I’m not sure I could be that magnanimous. That’s intense,man.”
“Howabout you? You’re a friend of Mark’s, right?”
“Yeah,we were at college together. I was supposed to have a date for this thing,but…”
Zachdidn’t want to assume anything, carefully avoiding the use of any pronouns. “Itdidn’t work out?”
“No.” Chris’eyes filled with tears, somehow making them even bluer. Zach felt like he shouldreach out and offer comfort, but it would undoubtedly end up being a kind ofawkward pat that would only make things weird. “I guess it wasn’t meant to be.”Chris abruptly scrubbed a hand across his eyes. “Damn it. Sorry.”
“Don’tbe,” Zach said easily. “I’ve been there.” He paused. “You know what I’dprescribe? More alcohol.” Grabbing the champagne bottle, he re-filled Chris’glass. “And dancing.”
Zach inclinedhis head. “It’s a good start. Like I said, I’ve been where you are. I’m not onehundred percent over him yet, but I’m getting there. You will too.” He picked uphis own glass and raised it in a toast. “To finding the person we’re meant tobe with.”
Afterclinking glasses and downing most of the contents, Chris looked a little morerelaxed. He looked even more so after several refills and various recountedtales of the ghosts of partners past.
“Okay,”Chris said finally, draining his glass and setting it aside. “That’s step onetaken care of. Now for the dancing.”
“Go forit. I’m pretty sure you’d have your pick of the room.”
Zachwaved him away. “I’ll be fine.”
“No, Imean… would you like to dance with me?” As he asked, Chris smiled properly forthe first time, making his eyes light up and crinkle at the edges. The sightstole Zach’s breath for a second. He could almost hear angels singing.
Recovering,Zach placed his glass on the table with a wide smile. “I’d love to.”
